The other night at Bible study Pastor H. told one of the class members how learning to surf was on his bucket list. Today would be a good one for trying his hand, or his feet!, at surfing, with the wickedness of the waves with this passing storm. But, I simply cannot picture this grandpa on a surf board!
A couple days ago my neighbor, Gus, came up for a visit. At first he came with Connie to see a large sea creature floating on its side in the river. She determined it was a large red (red what??) but it could have easily have been a small dolphin. The fish is presently being bashed against the rocks by the wild river we are experiencing today. Gus was just coming back from lunch with his friend and decided to hang out up here for a bit.
A couple days ago my neighbor, Gus, came up for a visit. At first he came with Connie to see a large sea creature floating on its side in the river. She determined it was a large red (red what??) but it could have easily have been a small dolphin. The fish is presently being bashed against the rocks by the wild river we are experiencing today. Gus was just coming back from lunch with his friend and decided to hang out up here for a bit.
He kept telling me how he's been in my home before but never really looked around very much---likely when I am having a flood! Gus insists I get the paints out again, trash my river room with the supplies (my words, not his), and start cranking out some work. I would sooner do that in my room than in there, because I can close the doors to this room!
He enjoyed the art work, the glass, the collections, and my stories of where the various pieces came from. I enjoyed his company! Gus promised to come back some time to look at my scrapbooks, as he is Greek and would like to see the photos.
Gus mentioned how getting some Chihuly glass was on his 'bucket list'. He told me how he came close to buying some expensive pieces of glass a couple years ago. He passed up the opportunity then and is glad now he did, due to the market falling apart. I hope someday Gus can get a nice piece of glass and not too far off, as he is in his mid-70's already!
Sweet Gus---sadly he told me he has trouble remembering the dates on his parents' grave markers, and that of his wife, but he remembers the 'dash' in between. He was happy that I knew of the poem about the 'dash'.
The Dash
By Linda Ellis
I read of
a man who stood to speak
At the
funeral of a friend.
He
referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the
beginning…to the end.
He noted
that first came the date of her birth
And spoke
of the following date with tears,
But he
said what mattered most of all
Was the
dash between those years.
For that
dash represents all the time
That she
spent alive on earth
And now
only those who love her
Know what
that little line is worth.
For it
matters not, how much we own,
The cars…the
house…the cash.
What
matters is how we live and love
And how
we spend our dash.
So think
about this long and hard;
Are there
things you’d like to change?
For you
never know how much time is left
That can
still be rearranged.
If we
could just slow down enough
To
consider what’s true and real
And
always try to understand
The way
other people feel.
And be
less quick to anger
And show
appreciation more
And love
the people in our lives
Like we
never loved before.
If we
treat each other with respect
And more
often wear a smile…
Remembering
that this special dash
Might
only last a little while.
So when
your eulogy is read
With your
life’s actions to rehash
Would you
be proud of the things they say
About how
you spent your dash?
Part of my 'dash' was spent with Gus, and with various lady friends this past week. And, of course, with Justin. He is likely going to be moving next month and I am adjusting my mindset to that fact. I can swallow the larger electric bill and eating home cooked meals for a bit longer.....
